Ransom

Name: Ransom
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Released: November 8, 1996
Duration: 121 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Gary Sinise, Mel Gibson, Rene Russo

1996

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 21 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 210 Ratings

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2.1	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 210 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: November 8, 1996

Starring: Gary Sinise, Mel Gibson, Rene Russo

Summary: In this action-thriller, Mel Gibson stars as Tom Mullen, a wealthy executive whose charmed life is suddenly shattered when his young son is abducted and held for ransom by a gang of ruthless criminals. (BV Entertainment)

Director: Ron Howard

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 121 min

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Awards & Rankings

57	#57 Best Movie of 1996
20	#20 Most Discussed Movie of 1996
43	#43 Most Shared Movie of 1996

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

The New York Times - Elvis Mitchell

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire. Read full review

Variety - Todd McCarthy

Although the story is built around the automatically emotional situation of an imperiled kid, scripters Richard Price (who appears briefly as an uncomfortably handcuffed victim of Sinise in the early going) and Alexander Ignon and director Ron Howard largely steer clear of milking the easy melodrama. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

The movie would have benefitted from a tight rewrite (it is too ambitious in including plot threads it doesn't have time to deal with), but Gibson's strong central performance speeds it along. Read full review

Washington Post - Desson Thomson

There are more climaxes in here than in a Swedish blue movie. This is not to say you won't be thrilled, charged up and put through the ringer at times, but your intelligence will need to be shoved under your seat like warm, flat soda. Read full review

Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman

Ransom has some clever and exciting moments, but in scene after scene it teases you with gamesmanship only to pummel you with contrivance. Read full review

Christian Science Monitor - David Sterritt

Gary Sinise is chilling as the villain, and the screenplay by Richard Price and Alexander Ignon shows some interest in class hostility and other social issues, although this doesn't extend far enough to allow the women of the story a chance to shine in their male-dominated surroundings. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Steve Davis

A reprehensible movie from just about every perspective, Ransom tries to justify the behavior of its lead character as something grounded in principle, but make no mistake about it: This is the act of a man who can't bear the thought of losing, a man who will turn the tables on his enemy at the risk of a beloved's death. Read full review

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User Reviews

MinecraftF

Mar 29, 2017

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

ThisIsSparta666

Jan 16, 2017

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Pama300

Dec 11, 2016

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Enderman

Jan 17, 2017

Mr. Howard has made Ransom in the same clean, swift, logical style that sent his "Apollo 13" into orbit, resulting in a spellbinding crime tale that delivers surprises right down to the wire.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

bdjude

Feb 14, 2018

A good movie again went underrating ! This will keep you glued to the seat till it ends, guaranteed. The plot is pragmatic no flows either.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tubey

Jun 30, 2015

The star of this isn't Mel Gibson (although his performance here is up there with his career best), but rather Gary Sinise, who in the role of Jimmy Shaker has portrayed one of the most criminally underrated villains in modern cinema. Genuinely cold, terrifying and chilling in his persona.The star of this isn't Mel Gibson (although his performance here is up there with his career best), but rather Gary Sinise, who in the role of Jimmy Shaker has portrayed one of the most criminally underrated villains in modern cinema. Genuinely cold, terrifying and chilling in his persona.

The movie itself is very well delivered and holds up almost 20 years later. The mob connection subplot is the weakest thread of the script and isn't played out as well as it could have been, but the pacing is excellent throughout, the suspense nailed down to an artform and is a thoroughly enjoyable watch.… Expand

1 of 8 users found this helpful17

pgmark

Dec 16, 2010

Average at best and I hate Hollywood on remakes. I liked the original better with Ford even if it is a bit dated now. Nothing special here but worth a watch if bored.

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

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